Words by Stacey Siebritz
Hop on the KTX to experience the sight-seeing and nightlife of this South Chungcheong city.
I first moved to Cheonan, a city less than an hour’s KTX ride south of Seoul, in 2007. Back then, it was home to a small, tightly knit foreigner community, and the closest thing we had to global cuisine was the twenty-four McDonalds. Since then, the city’s social scene has gone from strength to strength along with the rapidly increasing foreigner population, which has tripled in the last five years.
Things To Do In Cheonan – Day And Night
Cheonan offers much more than the average expat party scene. For the history buffs among you, there is Independence Hall, which focuses on the independence movement during the Japanese colonization and boasts the largest exhibition facility in Korea.
In addition, the adjoining city of Asan is home to the beautiful Hyeonchung Shrine, which is dedicated to Admiral Yi Sun-sin, as well as lush greenery, sparkling koi ponds and beautiful gardens.
During the warmer months, a trip to Cheonan would not be complete without a visit to the famous bronze Buddha at Gakwon Temple. It sits regally at the base of Taejo Mountain, which has excellent trails for a relaxing afternoon hike. Hiking is a popular past-time in these parts – the Cheonan Asan Mountaineers (or CAM) hiking group organizes local hikes with like-minded folks. Search for “Cheonan Asan Mountaineers” on Facebook for more information.
Of course, if you’re more of a night owl than a day-tripper, there’s still plenty to do!
Start exploring the bar scene at Dolce Bar, conveniently located mere minutes from the Cheonan train station. The lively bar manager Louis Jong-hyeok Lee works tirelessly organizing entertainment, with new events all the time. Step through the doors and you could find yourself at a salsa night, rock night, or 80s party. One of the most popular events is the weekly Brew and View, a night where a popular film is selected and watched—with a corresponding drinking game.
Across town and tucked away in the side streets of the bustling downtown district is the popular and somewhat suggestively named Banana Bar. Run by the friendly Mr. Oh, this lively basement bar boasts the occasional band night, as well as a weekly open mic night, where talented locals are encouraged to come out and strut their stuff.